ASHLEY ON HER PREGNANCY JOURNEY
DJ and former Made In Chelsea star, Ashley James, on how finding love and falling pregnant turned around her 2020
It was the surprise news that turned lockdown into an unexpectedly happy time for Ashley James.
At the start of April, the former Made In Chelsea star found out she was expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Tom Andrews, who’d moved into her London flat just a month before.
The couple started dating in October when they reconnected on a dating app after meeting ten years earlier through work. Despite things moving quickly after six years of the single life, Ashley, 33, is overjoyed at the news they’re expecting a little boy in January.
ROLLER COASTER
She tells Closer, “I’m happy after being single for so long – and it doesn’t feel fast. I’m 33 and I think, had I been 20 and met somebody and had this, it might have felt a bit more like a roller coaster – but I feel like I know who I am and what I want.
“Because we knew each other from the past and we have similar values, as fast as the relationship has gone, it hasn’t felt rushed or forced – it all feels very natural.”
Ashley first rose to fame in Made In Chelsea, in which she briefly appeared back in 2012. The TV personality also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, where she sparked romance rumours with fellow contestant, US singer Ginuwine. Ashley is now a presenter and empowerment coach, who advocates for body confidence.
She recently shared her experience of being “bump-shamed”, as she posted a photo to her 277k Instagram followers, posing in her underwear and cradling her growing tummy halfway through the pregnancy. In the caption, she said, “I’ve been pretty chilled throughout my pregnancy, but one thing that has bothered me and caused me to worry is people commenting on the size of my bump... People have commented on how small my bump is pretty much from the moment I announced I was pregnant.”
Despite the criticism, Ashley reveals she’s more body confident than ever and doesn’t care about getting her pre-pregnancy figure back.
She says, “I’ve been different sizes throughout my twenties and thirties, and being my skinniest definitely wasn’t my happiest. I actually love being pregnant – I feel like the best version of myself. I love watching my body grow and change.
“I also don’t believe in the idea of ‘getting your body back’ after birth, either – it’s like a new body and that’s fine.”
CRAVINGS
With the help and guidance of her personal trainer, Ashley is enjoying working out in her back garden to prepare herself for the birth in January.
“When I’m exercising, it’s not about weight loss, but more for my mental health and the physical benefits. I’m very top heavy at the moment, so I’m doing a lot of exercises with a PT to strengthen my lower back, which will help support the bump as it gets bigger. We’re also doing some work on my core to help with the labour. I want to be as strong as I can for the baby.
“I always wake up so hungry, so I’m making early-morning porridge. At the moment, I’m also craving Coco Pops, Fruit Corners and, weirdly, cherry tomatoes – so not really what I expected!”
Being pregnant in a pandemic has meant that Ashley’s boyfriend Tom had to wait outside during hospital appointments, but he was still able to see the scans once her name was called – including finding out the baby’s sex – because they “were both so excited [they] wanted to find out”.
“There is a possibility, if there’s a second
wave [of COVID-19] in winter, Tommy might not be allowed at the birth – but there’s no point in worrying about the ifs and buts, as none of us know what the future holds. I’m just focusing on the positives.”
While Ashley wouldn’t rule out another reality show in the future, it’s unlikely to be a fly-on-the-wall on her life as a new mum.
She says, “My boyfriend’s a very private person. I wouldn’t be inviting cameras into our home or anything like that, because I think he’d move out! There would be certain ones that I would do, and others that I definitely wouldn’t – only because of where I am in my life. I’m a terrible dancer, so I’d never do any of the dancing shows!”
After a difficult start to the year – which saw Ashley lose her close friend Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life in February – she now feels happy and excited about becoming a mum.
“This pregnancy has helped to remind me there’s life after death. With this year being so up in the air with COVID-19, it’s amazing to feel like you’re growing a little life. It’s been a beautiful, positive thing for us in all the chaos and uncertainty of 2020.” By Daisy McLure
● Ashley James is an ambassador for digital security experts, Kaspersky (kaspersky.co.uk)
‘I know who I am and what
I want!’